Present study deals with the sorption characteristics of p-tetranitrocalix[4]arene (3) appended silica-based high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) column utilized for preconcentration, determination, and purification of Cu2+from water. The sorption characteristics of the HPLC column were investigated for Cu2+in column agreement. The experiments were performed in five steps that were monitored using UV–visible diode-array detector. However, all the HPLC experimental results were reconfirmed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The effect of concentration on the sorption efficiency of the column was evaluated for Cu2+and data obtained was investigated using Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherms. The value of coefficient of determination (R2), i.e. 0.99, suggested that the Freundlich sorption isotherm was found to be the best fit model for Cu2+. The developed method was validated for system efficiency, accuracy, and precision, while the data obtained revealed that the developed column could be applied for the sorption of Cu2+with adequate efficiency and repeatability.